The Ins and Outs of College Visits

 

For most of you, going on a college visit is something you’ve never done before.  In today’s post, you’ll learn some of the ins and outs of college visits.

 

What is a college visit?

A college visit is the best way to truly get to know a school.  You actually get to physically be campus, tour the facilities, meet current students, talk with professors, and get your questions answered by the experts of that college.

 

How do I prepare for a college visit?

It is so important to make a plan before visiting a college or university campus.  You’ll want to schedule an appointment ahead of time instead of just showing up.  That way, the campus is prepared for you!  It is best to visit the campus while school is in session so you get the best idea of what that college or university is like on a typical day.  Make sure to tell the admission office what you’d like to see and what areas of interest you have.  These could be potential majors you’ve considered or different extracurricular activities you’re interested in participating in during college.

 

What can I do on a college visit?

Every college and university handles college visits separately, but some things that you might be able to do on a college visit include:

• Visiting the college admissions office and/or attending and admissions presentation
• Taking a campus tour
• Sitting in on a class or two
• Meeting a professor in your field of academic interest
• Meeting and talking to one or more current students
• Looking into your extracurricular, athletic, or special service interests
• Walking or driving through the adjacent college community or town

What should I keep in mind when I’m visiting a college?

You might want to ask yourself the following questions as you’re on your college visit:

• Do I like the look of the campus?  Is it well-kept?
• As I walk around, do I find myself smiling and feeling comfortable with what I see?
• Do the students I see seem to be the kind of people I want to know and spend time with?
• Is the atmosphere friendly and inviting?
• Do I feel excited about the prospect of spending four years here?

It is also not a bad idea to take some pictures of the campus and jot down some of your feelings about the college or university afterwards so that you can have a point of reference when comparing colleges in the future.

 

What questions should I ask when I am on the college campus?

Here are a few questions you might consider asking students and faculty you meet on campus:

• What do you like best and least about this college?
• How is the social life?  What do students do during the week and on weekends for fun?
• Where do students live?  What is on-campus housing like?
• How are the support services on campus (academic advising, internship or career counseling)?
• How accessible are the professors to undergraduate students?
• What are some of the best and worst classes you’ve taken?
• Why did you decide to attend this college?
• If you had to do it all over again, would you choose this college?  If no, where would you go?

If you have other questions, be sure to ask in the comments below!!